  Spiritual
This week: An Elf Review of Yoga Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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A Spiritual Newsletter by Elf
In the spirit of trying new things, this elf has been attempting to do yoga once or twice a week for a month. Here is where I review the experience to let you all know what it has been like for me and if I recommend it to others. |
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I will start off by admitting a few things. First, I'm not very flexible, mobile and until trying this out I had only attempted yoga once, while watching a tv show version on a fitness channel. I also am not very "spiritual" or religious. There are going to be some who for personal reasons will not want to do something like yoga, and that's okay. I wanted to try it because I'm trying different things as I work on getting fit and to work on some of my mobility.
Snapshot assessment: Yoga is... different.
And there are a number of reasons that I say this. Coming to it from no real experience, it was very different than the running and weight lifting that I've done thus far on my fitness journey. The experiences also varied based on a number of different reasons, so not every class felt the same. My day in general, whether I did it before or after weight training or work, the type of class and the person leading the hour long sessions all created minor differences in the experience. Not every studio will offer the same type of yoga and the setting/atmosphere is yet another variable to consider.
I will say that I did like the overall experience. It's not something I'm fanatical about. I'm not signing up with the studio at this time in order to do more on a regular basis but not from any negative based reasoning. I simply have financial and other priorities that come first. Also, one small tip: I don't recommend a latte right before going to yoga if you want to attempt to calm the mind.
I'm also not going to define what yoga is or try to explain it all. If people are interested, I can do the research and give a more comprehensive newsletter on the topic but I haven't done such for this particular newsletter. This is just what I experienced from my month of taking 1-3 classes a week, along with a single beginners guide to yoga workshop that was about 2 hours long. All of the classes I've taken were for beginners. I went to both gentle and basic Hatha, with the basic class as the one I attended the most. I would like to try Vinyasa, which is a more challenging class in comparison but it hasn't worked in my regular schedule thus far. The basic Hatha has been nice because the poses are held a bit longer and for new people, it takes a little time to figure out how to get the pose and body to work together. Though as I learned from the classes and workshop, one does not fit the body to the pose but instead it's the other way around. You fit the pose to your body. Good to know.
The room did not get crazy warm or anything. No hot yoga here. Instead, it was calm with music provided by the person leading the class while poses were vocalized and demonstrated. Some were hard to do. Some a little easier. Everyone's experience is different, for sure. Another reason to call it different. For me, I don't quite get some of the seated ones well because my stomach still gets in the way a little and I'm not mobile enough to lean very far forward when seated. However, I am strong enough to do planks and a couple other things that someone else might struggle with, thanks to lifting weights. No headstands or handstands either, but maybe in a few years. Even flamingo is a little challenge with that whole pesky balance aspect.
At the very end, there is a rest point where you relax. Some instructors or yogis, as they may be called, will talk a little during this time about the spiritual side. Not everyone looks for that aspect in yoga and some of us struggle to turn off our brains in general, so I have gone a slightly different route at the end when it's supposed to be more meditative. I think about donuts. Good news was, no donut shop nearby, or this might have been a poor strategy. Some like to have empty minds or think about their beliefs in the meditative periods, but for me, it was much better to think about donuts and ponder options like jelly filled with peanut butter frosting. mmmm
Overall, I can see why some people like yoga but also at the same time how it might not be for everyone. Yoga is different. Will I do it again? Sure, some day. Am I going to do it often? No, probably not but that's okay. I have enjoyed the experience and hope to have others and try new things in the future as I continue on this journey of life.
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Have you ever tried yoga? Would you?
Last time I did this newsletter, which is often quite a few months ago (May), I talked about the book The Giver and things I learned from it growing up.
Comment by Pepper 
I absolutely loved The Giver, and my 14-year-old son, who is often a reluctant reader, also loved it. Weeks after finishing it, he is still raving about it. It is definitely a great book to illustrate how our greatest sorrows often make our greatest joys all that much sweeter. By the way, I have also read the other books that followed, and while they are decent reads, they do not hold a candle to The Giver.
- Great to be able to share that experience with your son. Also, thanks for the input on the other books. I might get to them one day, we'll see.
Comment by Steve adding writing to ntbk. 
I have not read the Caregiver, nor have I seen the film version. I will pick up the book because you made it sound interesting enough to peruse.
Thank you for your dedication to the WdC by participation in so many areas including the NLs that provide so much good food for thought and great reviewing fodder.
One way I give back is through Jingles and when a charity comes along where I work, I put my who heart into the creation of a jingle to create interest and sales for the charity. This is the first one I ever wrote and is nearest to my heart. it is my way of caring for and about others using the gift of writing.
Copenator out! BA, M Div
founder of Copenator's Crew
- Why thank you. Hope you get a chance to check out the book or the movie (The Giver). I haven't seen the movie but might consider it some day. Neat about doing the jingles for charities. That's pretty cool.
Comment by Quick-Quill 
I watched the trailers. Its a concept that seems to be very prevelant in this society. Everyone and their ideas must be embraced. Everyone equal and no child should experience disappointment or feel less than any other. This concept is the cancer of our present idealism. Its not a Sci-fy its a reality that is gradually being forced on the population. When will people wake up and see it for what it really is? Without pain there is no joy. Without a broken heart there is no real knowledge of love. Great NL!!! I'm going to look at getting this book. Myabe see if its on Netflix
- I don't have netflix but might be able to find it there some day. I still will prefer the book, I'm betting as it's rare for me to like a movie more than the book. Hope you enjoy either if you find them, or already found them.
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Spiritual: March 02, 2016 Issue [#7505]
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